A New Raised Ridge that Beats a Garter Ridge Handsdown

Sometimes it’s all about introducing new big impactful knitting skills (like the Showy Decrease) and sometimes it’s just a tweak like this Nuance-lette. See where you can use it.

Adding Horizontal Interest

Showy Decreases can add texture diagonally or vertically, as shown in this Rip Cord Hat from our last blog post. One thing they can not do is run horizontally. So what to do if you want to add some perpendicular contrast?

The standard solution is to add a Garter Ridge by knitting one row on the WS or by purling a round. It does the job, it’s just not very interesting. So let’s try this instead.

The ridge is created by knitting a k2tog decrease on the wrong side when knitting flat or a p2tog when in the round. This adds even more texture than a simple knit or purl stitch. Partner it with a yarn over that’s closed on the next row and you’re done. The result looks like X’s and O’s a nice message to add to your knitting.

It’s really pretty when worked in two colors like this blue & white hat to the left. The hat hasn’t been announced yet, so see how cleverly I’ve covered up the top and bottom! It’s part of a collection all designed to highlight this one new Nuance that’s coming this spring. I just need the discipline to work on the six projects I have instead of adding new ones. Impulsive knitting is a bit of a problem for me.

You can find Free downloads for other Nuances (and Nuance-lettes!) on our website’s Learn page.

6 comments on “A New Raised Ridge that Beats a Garter Ridge Handsdown”

Pingback: Summer Knitting with Linen (a review) | Knitting Nuances
tinky
January 27, 2015

Cool! I can’t wait to try the new raised ridge. I knit hats for charity and I will definitely try out this technique to incorporate contrasting yarn. Thanks so much.

Reply
- Laura Cunitz
  January 28, 2015
  
  Thanks! I have a pattern I’ve been making for chemo hats. It uses a few Nuances so it’s an intermediate plus level. If you’re interested let me know, I’ve just started writing up the pattern. L
  
  Reply
Sandra Drouin
March 4, 2017

Where are your instructional videos?

Reply
- Laura Cunitz
  March 4, 2017
  
  The links are in the Bonus section in for blog followers. Everything is free, it’s just a way to manage the number of questions. If you just want to test it out, the password is Nuances. 🙂 Laura
  
  Reply
  - Sandra Drouin
    March 5, 2017
    
    Tried the password, no luck. Help!